The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Indiana


The most dangerous places in Indiana are South Bend and Terre Haute for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Most dangerous cities in Indiana research summary. We analyzed the most recent FBI crime data using Saturday Night Science to determine the most dangerous cities in Indiana.

We examined the violent and property crime per capita statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents. In total, we analyzed 97 Indiana cities. Here are the results of our analysis:

  • The most dangerous city in Indiana is South Bend based on the most recent FBI crime data.

  • The violent crime rate in Indiana is 1,728 per 100k people.

  • The property crime rate in Indiana is 3,663 per 100k people.

  • The safest city in Indiana is St. John.

  • Indiana is the 29th most dangerous state in the United States.

Most Dangerous Cities In Indiana Map


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Methodology | FAQs | References


It used to be the biggest trick to avoiding danger in Indiana was to avoid Gary, Indiana. Sadly, that’s no longer the case.

While Gary has its fair share of problems, it’s no longer the state’s most dangerous place. We’re here to show you the location of the most dangerous places in Indiana for 2024

To determine Indiana‘s most dangerous places, we used Saturday Night Science to compare the FBI’s latest crime report for violent crime and property crime statistics for the 97 cities with over 5,000 residents.

Most of The Hoosier State’s crime centers around cities like Indianapolis and Evansville.

What’s the most dangerous city in Indiana? The most dangerous city in Indiana is South Bend.

We believe it should be easy to access crime rates for major cities like Fort Wayne or Lafayette without navigating convoluted government datasets.

If you want to know where the rest of the most dangerous places in Indiana are, continue for a complete list of crime rates everywhere in Indiana.

For more Indiana reading, check out:

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Indiana For 2024

South Bend, IN

Source: Wikipedia User Khoa Huynh | CC BY-SA 2.0

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 102,119
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,728 (Most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,663 (Sixth most dangerous)
Murders: 28
More on South Bend: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Home to the University of Notre Dame and Mayor Pete Buttigieg, South Bend is the most dangerous place to live in Indiana for 2024.

South Bend is not a great place to leave the door to your house or car unlocked, seeing as the city had the fourth highest burglary rate in Indiana and 571 car thefts recorded in 2022.

The bigger issue, though, is violent crime — folks in South Bend had a 1 in 57 chance of being the victim of an attack over the year, representing the highest worst violent crime rate in Indiana.

Which kind of makes South Bend’s motto — “Peace” — seem like a wish rather than a reflection of the current state of affairs.

Terre Haute, IN

Source: Wikipedia User | CC BY-SA 2.0

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 58,507
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 581 (Ninth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,744 (Most dangerous)
Murders: 2
More on Terre Haute: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

From the outside, it doesn’t seem scary. Located along the Wabash River, just east of the Illinois border, Terre Haute sits in the middle of rural Indiana. It provides the home to educational and cultural institutions, like the Indiana State University and the Swope Art Museum.

Yet, don’t let the amenities or the rural surroundings fool you. This ranks as the number 2 most dangerous community in Indiana. This includes a high rate of burglaries, with 694 such crimes in a city with 58,507 people. Terre Haute also experiences high numbers of arsons and car thefts.

Evansville, IN

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 115,719
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 718 (Sixth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,766 (Fourth most dangerous)
Murders: 25
More on Evansville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Indiana’s third-biggest city, Evansville, goes by “Pocket City.” However, we think that “Pickpocket City” would be a more apt nickname, given that Evansville had 3,250 larceny cases in 2022.

Overall, Evansville residents had a 1 in 26 chance of being the victim of a property crime over the year. So definitely keep your winnings quiet after a big night out at Tropicana Casino.

Unfortunately, it’s not just small-time crime in Evansville — the city also had the eighth highest rate of rape cases in Indiana.

Indianapolis, IN

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 886,455
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,027 (Fourth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,376 (Eighth most dangerous)
Murders: 208
More on Indianapolis: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Indianapolis is the biggest city in Indiana. As such, it comes with its share of amenities. You can enjoy NBA and NFL games. Or, if you have a more artsy sensibility, you can go to Newfields, an art museum and nature park. Plenty to do. Just make sure you check your wallet and stay out of dark alleys.

Indianapolis isn’t just the state capital. It’s the capital of certain types of crimes. It suffers the number 3.0 highest pace of robberies in Indiana. Residents also have to worry about the 208 murders that happen in a year.

Hammond, IN

Source: Wikipedia User HammondMan | CC BY-SA 4.0

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 76,366
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 670 (Seventh most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,347 (Ninth most dangerous)
Murders: 15
More on Hammond: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Situated a half-hour south of Chicago, Hammond “earned” its position on this list thanks to steadily high rates of both property and violent crime.

Hammond had the tenth highest murder rate in Indiana, logging 15 murders over 2022. Overall, the city reported 512 violent crimes over the year.

Don’t go showing off your winnings from Horseshoe Hammond Casino while you’re here because Hammond also saw 2,049 larceny cases over the year.

Elkhart, IN

Source: Wikipedia User Publichall | CC BY-SA 3.0

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 53,947
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,065 (Second most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,850 (16th most dangerous)
Murders: 8
More on Elkhart: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Elkhart, the sixth most dangerous place to live in Indiana, is plagued by high crime rates and a concerning level of violence. With a population of 53,947, this city in Elkhart County has experienced 575 violent crimes, including 8 murders, 41 rapes, 57 robberies, and 469 aggravated assaults. The property crime rate is also alarmingly high, with 1,538 reported incidents, including 300 burglaries.

Located east of South Bend and about 100 miles east of Chicago, Elkhart is strategically located within Indiana. By prioritizing crime prevention strategies and enhancing law enforcement efforts, there is hope for a safer future for the residents of Elkhart.

Michigan City, IN

Source: Wikipedia User Drew Jacksich from San Jose, CA, The Republic of California | CC BY-SA 2.0

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 32,051
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 421 (15th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,697 (Fifth most dangerous)
Murders: 1
More on Michigan City: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Michigan City, located in LaPorte County, Indiana, ranks as the seventh most dangerous place to live in the state for 2024. The city’s crime statistics reveal a concerning level of criminal activity, contributing to its reputation as a dangerous location.

However, it is essential to note that while Michigan City may currently face these challenges, there is potential for improvement through dedicated efforts. By addressing the underlying factors contributing to crime and fostering a safe environment, the city can work towards creating a better future for its residents. With these initiatives, Michigan City can strive towards becoming a safer place to live in Indiana.

Gary, IN

Source: Wikipedia User Chris Light (talk) | CC BY-SA 3.0

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 74,687
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 534 (Tenth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,216 (Tenth most dangerous)
Murders: 76
More on Gary: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

It’s kind of a known thing that Gary, a former Mecca for manufacturing, has seen better days. It topped our list of Indiana’s worst places to live and one study even named it the most miserable city in America.

To quote a DEA agent, “we used to be the murder capital of the US, but there is hardly anybody left to kill. We used to be the drug capital of the US, but for that you need money, and there aren’t jobs or things to steal here.”

Unfortunately, he was a bit off the mark — Gary still has the highest murder rate in Indiana, averaging more than one per week in 2022. That’s a rate three times higher than in East Chicago, the place with the second-highest murder rate in Indiana.

And while there might not be as much to steal, that hasn’t stopped Gary’s criminals, who contributed to the city having the second highest burglary rate in Indiana.

New Albany, IN

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 37,198
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 405 (16th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,099 (11th most dangerous)
Murders: 3
More on New Albany: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Just across the Ohio River, you’ll find Louisville, Kentucky’s major metropolitan center. That makes New Albany a suburb of sorts. As such, you’ve got access to a significant number of amenities. These range from cultural stops, like the Carnegie Center for Art & History, to nature hikes, like you’ll find at the Loop Island Wetlands.

But you’ll also have to deal with some of the crime associated with urban sprawl. This factor makes New Albany the number 9 most dangerous location in Indiana. Violence remains under control for the most part. However, residents deal with high rates of property crime, including enormous numbers of car thefts and larcenies given the overall population in the area.

Anderson, IN

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 54,965
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 485 (13th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,900 (14th most dangerous)
Murders: 7
More on Anderson: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Located about 45 minutes northwest of Indianapolis, Anderson comes in as the tenth most dangerous place to live in Indiana.

Anderson averaged more than one rape case per week in 2022, giving the city the second highest rate of rape cases in the state.

While you can enjoy a lovely day out hiking at Mounds State Park, you should definitely triple lock your house before going out, considering Anderson also had the 14th highest burglary rate in Indiana.

Crime By City In Indiana

Rank City Population Total Crimes Per 100K Violent Crimes Per 100K Property Crimes Per 100K Murders
1 South Bend 102,119 5,391 1,728 3,663 28
2 Terre Haute 58,507 5,325 581 4,744 2
3 Evansville 115,719 4,485 718 3,766 25
4 Indianapolis 886,455 4,404 1,027 3,376 208
5 Hammond 76,366 4,017 670 3,347 15
6 Elkhart 53,947 3,916 1,065 2,850 8
7 Michigan City 32,051 4,118 421 3,697 1
8 Gary 74,687 3,750 534 3,216 76
9 New Albany 37,198 3,505 405 3,099 3
10 Anderson 54,965 3,385 485 2,900 7
11 Muncie 65,343 3,200 482 2,717 11
12 Speedway 13,612 3,283 315 2,967 1
13 East Chicago 27,554 3,219 1,030 2,188 11
14 Bloomington 80,135 2,846 507 2,338 4
15 Boonville 6,200 2,790 774 2,016 0
16 Lafayette 70,861 2,782 594 2,188 2
17 Mishawaka 51,022 3,149 282 2,867 2
18 Beech Grove 14,401 2,985 312 2,673 1
19 Goshen 34,697 3,006 250 2,755 2
20 Clarksville 21,890 4,376 159 4,216 0
21 Fort Wayne 267,791 2,649 262 2,387 20
22 Lawrence 49,421 2,306 325 1,980 2
23 Cumberland 6,388 3,788 156 3,631 1
24 Kokomo 59,776 2,052 511 1,540 3
25 Warsaw 15,952 2,294 307 1,987 0
26 Marion 28,108 2,493 195 2,298 0
27 Rensselaer 5,825 2,832 171 2,660 0
28 Shelbyville 20,074 1,883 358 1,524 0
29 Avon 24,167 2,553 165 2,387 0
30 Mount Vernon 6,380 1,927 266 1,661 1
31 Tell City 7,587 2,174 224 1,950 0
32 Crawfordsville 16,449 1,586 316 1,270 0
33 Vincennes, 16,701 4,083 89 3,993 1
34 Columbus 47,991 2,844 133 2,710 0
35 Jeffersonville 51,150 1,892 234 1,657 0
36 La Porte 22,371 1,864 201 1,662 1
37 Kendallville 10,153 1,743 246 1,497 0
38 North Vernon 6,455 2,385 139 2,246 0
39 Plainfield 36,189 1,928 151 1,776 3
40 Lebanon 17,042 1,232 287 944 0
41 Charlestown 8,482 1,261 247 1,013 0
42 New Haven 15,856 1,374 195 1,179 0
43 Linton 5,147 3,128 58 3,069 0
44 Hobart 29,374 2,233 98 2,134 2
45 Rushville 5,973 2,343 83 2,260 0
46 Seymour 21,415 1,867 107 1,760 0
47 Merrillville 34,774 1,495 138 1,357 7
48 Vincennes 16,487 2,729 72 2,656 0
49 Portage 38,438 1,300 158 1,142 1
50 Angola 9,022 2,327 77 2,250 2

Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous cities in Indiana for 2024?

Every year the FBI release two crime datasets on cities in Indiana. First a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in Indiana, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.

For our analysis, we focused on the 2022 data, specifically the 2022 Crime In The United States Report for Indiana.

So what criteria did we use? Have a look:

  • Violent Crimes Per Capita
  • Property Crimes Per Capita

In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered Indiana cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 97 cities in Indiana.

We then ranked each city from 1 to 97 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.

Next, we averaged the two rankings into one “Dangerous Index”.

Finally, we ranked every city on the “Dangerous Index” with the lowest index being the most dangerous in Indiana — South Bend. Any ties went to the smaller city.

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. It is our tenth time ranking the most dangerous places to live in Indiana and is updated for 2024.

Most Dangerous Places To Live In Indiana FAQs

No, Indiana is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #22 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in Indiana ranks 27th most dangerous in the United States — 3.28% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Hoosier State ranks 30th most dangerous in the United States — 8.76% better than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022.

Yes, Indianapolis is a dangerous city. Indianapolis ranks as the #66 most dangerous out of 328 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Indianapolis might be considered dangerous you still need to be aware of where you are.

Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Indianapolis ranks 37th highest in America — 85.64% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 87th highest in the United States — 23.74% worse than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022 and that no city in America is ‘dangerous’. Despite the uptick in murders, it’s nothing like you’d see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.

Graphing The Most Dangerous And Safest Places In Indiana

Most Dangerous Cities In Indiana Graph

Click To Enlarge

Summary: Locking It All Up In Indiana

So what is the most dangerous city in Indiana? After analyzing 97 cities in Indiana, South Bend takes the top spot as the most dangerous city in Indiana based on the most recently reported FBI data — 2022.

The latest FBI crime data shows that South Bend ranks as the most dangerous city in Indiana for 2024.

The most dangerous cities in Indiana are .

We want to point out again that there’s still safes places in South Bend and that this isn’t a comment on the people that live there. So please don’t beat us up.

What’s the most dangerous city in Indiana? The most dangerous city in Indiana is South Bend.

We believe it should be easy to access crime rates for major cities like Fort Wayne or Lafayette without navigating convoluted government datasets.

If you want to know where the rest of the most dangerous places in Indiana are, continue for a complete list of crime rates everywhere in Indiana.

Learn more about the safest places in Indiana.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.

Here are the safest cities in Indiana:

  1. Carmel (Pop. 101,670)
  2. Crown Point (Pop. 30,341)
  3. Cicero (Pop. 5,537)
  4. Bargersville (Pop. 10,791)
  5. New Whiteland (Pop. 5,597)
  6. Dyer (Pop. 16,351)
  7. Zionsville (Pop. 32,575)
  8. Frankfort (Pop. 16,572)
  9. Lowell (Pop. 11,204)
  10. St. John (Pop. 20,168)

For more Indiana reading, check out:

References

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

8 thoughts on “The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Indiana

  1. It’s not the city, it’s the lowlife, section 8er’s coming down I-65 on the Chicago/Indy drug pipeline. Since they’re killing each other on a regular basis in Chicago, they figured it was safer and easier to operate out of the small towns along the corridor. Complete scum.

  2. You mention Speedway in your article as being 45 minutes NW of Indianapolis. Who does your geographies? Speedway is located on the west side of Marion County and is surrounded by Indianapolis. Sorry, but this detail along with a few others (South Bend is the 4th most populous state in Indiana)…..really?? 4th most populous city maybe?? Who proof reads this crap??? Your article leaves much to be desired and because of the numerous flaws contained in your reporting, I’m call BS on the whole thing. Do some more research, learn the locations of the cities your reference and learn the difference between a state and a city……for starters.

  3. I disagree with your scientific method. The average of Violent crimes and property crimes ratings does not accurately reflect “safety”. In my opinion, a violent crime should be weighted higher than a property crime in the rankings. I would feel much less safe if someone got physically assaulted near my house than if something was stolen from their house. I would agree with the analysis much more if you used a 1.5 weighting for violent crimes.

    I also agree with Mike’s comment. This article needed to be proof read before it was posted. No one will take you seriously when you refer to a city as a state.

  4. Evansville is not that dangerous, its boring as hell but not dangerous enough to be in the top 3 cities.

  5. The Warsaw area is being misrepresented, after living here for 35yrs it has grown and has had people from the big cities move here but most of that is due to the huge job opportunities in the medical equipment and orthopedic industry, there’s good jobs and clean streets, most people are good people. The crime would be related to meth or the opiate epidemic that’s everywhere in the country, if you are a user then you would be more likely to be involved in a crime and be one of the perpetrators of the property crimes to get money for your habit. Unfortunately the law enforcement hits the DUI and traffic stop searches instead of going after the true crime but the addict has no money so they go after hard working people to make money off the citizenry. Statistics show that disaster occurs on the highways in drinkers who are 2 or 3 times the legal limit, the majority of busts are right at the legal limit and are not busted for driving bad but being out driving at the wrong time of the night. If you are a decent person who looks out for others and likes to have a good time occasionally this is a pretty good place to live. The one thing that could improve is food choices

  6. I live right next to Michigan City. The only killings I really hear about theres prolly 1 or 2 a year (Usually from Lake Michigan and the tide) And arson? Nothing is set on fire there. Ever? These kinds of articles are really funny. I go to michigan city all the time to shop, get food, doctor appointments. Its not like you go there and have to watch your back.

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